Wednesday, 1 May 2013

May Exhibition Artists Interview With Julia Crossland

Our exhibition continues this month with talented artist Julia Crossland we caught up with her to find out what inspires her work.

Who
are you and what do you do?

My name is
Julia Crossland and I’m an artist and illustrator.

How
has your practice changed over time?I
think my style has evolved enormously over the last few years.I’ve learnt many things along the way, and
picked up tips and ideas which I’ve incorporated into my work in my own way
that I feel has given it a pretty recognisable style.I like the fact that there is still much to
learn, and am happy that painting, for me, is such an ergonomic process.

What
work do you most enjoying doing?The
part of the painting that I enjoy the most is the part when it’s half way
through, and I start to add the detail.I must confess that I lose all track of time and immerse myself deeply
in the work.It’s a bit like a
meditation for me, it’s very relaxing and exciting at the same time, to see the
work finally taking shape.

What
jobs have you done other than being an artist?I was a freelance sign writer for many years before becoming an artist,
and I’ve also had other jobs along the way including being a Payroll Clerk for
the NHS, a chambermaid, a waitress and a bar person to name but a few!

Is
the artistic life lonely?What do you do to counteract it?I work from home so it can be a bit quiet
sometimes; I try and counteract this by listening to music and having long phone
calls with my sister.I also have a
bunch of artist chums on social networking sites with whom I chat to during the
week, it’s wonderfully encouraging to be able to communicate with like minded
souls when things are feeling a bit solitary.

What
do you like about your work?I love
painting with acrylics and I reallylove
the intensity of the colours.I enjoy adding
little elements of mixed media ~ scratching into the surface with a crayon, or
layering on pieces of newspaper or magazine to add textures.I like being able to capture a scene in my
imagination and put it down on paper or canvas, that to me, is a remarkable
thing to be able to do.

What
research to you do?I sketch or work
from photographs, playing around with an idea until it looks the way I want it
to, adding colour palettes that I think may work.On other occasions I paint straight off the
cuff, working right onto paper or canvas from the idea that is in nesting my
mind.

Favourite
or most inspirational place ?

I seem to be
drawn to Cornwall, and St Ives in particular seems to draw me back time and
time again.